Family Law & Divorce Attorneys in Washington County

Guidance through the Family Court System

In the legal realm, family law matters are often some of the most personal
and emotionally-charged issues. In these cases, your attorney needs to
be someone who can maintain a level head, work to resolve issues quickly,
and still make it their priority to protect your best interests.

The Hillsboro family lawyers of
Karpstein & Verhulst P.C. have
helped numerous clients achieve a positive outcome for their family law case. We can help you
understand Oregon law regarding divorce, adoption, and more so that you
can feel more confident as you make these life changing decisions.

Our family law services include:

Adoptions

Custody

Child Support

Divorce

Grandparent’s Rights

Guardianships

Modifications

Name Changes

Parenting Time

Restraining Orders

Spousal Support

Stalking Orders

Call (503) 483-4044 to give us the details regarding your family law issue.

CHILD CUSTODY

The well-being of children is the heart of any custody proceeding. The
best interests of children govern Oregon family law in this area. Whether
married or unmarried, if you are fighting for your child then you need
an attorney that knows the law and understands the emotional impact this
kind of dispute can have on children and parents. That is the kind of
expert and compassionate representation you will find at Karpstein &
Verhulst P.C.

Custody only applies to children under the age of 18. There are two types
of custody: legal and physical. A parent with legal custody has the primary
authority regarding things such as school, religion, and medical decisions.
A parent who has primary physical custody simply cares for the child in
their home more than the other parent. Physical custody is often confused
with parenting time, and while the two ideas are similar, they each have
their own legal meanings. The “best interest of the child”
is the primary standard in Oregon for making legal determinations about
child custody. It is important to
consult an attorney about your specific circumstances regarding custody.

Child & Spousal Support

There are many myths about child support, so it is important talk with
an attorney about your specific circumstances before making assumptions.
You can browse the Oregon Department of Justice
website to learn more about child support issues. Child support ends when a child
reaches 18 years old unless the child qualifies as a “child attending
school” under Oregon law. In that case, child support might continue
until the child is 21 years old.

If your spouse makes more money than you, and you have been married for
many years, it may be appropriate for you to receive spousal support.
Other states call this “alimony” and the terms essentially
mean the same thing. There are many legal factors which go into determining
spousal support, but ultimately it is about fairness.

Divorce

Divorce, or “dissolution,” touches every area of an individual’s
life. It is important to hire a lawyer who can see the big picture and
walk you through tough decisions that will have a big impact on your future.
Going through a divorce will require attention to financial, insurance,
property and family relationship concerns. We believe in working with
you as a team to reach the best outcome possible for your unique situation.

Enforcement & Contempt

Do you have a custody or divorce judgment in place but your “ex”
refuses to follow it? You should consult with an attorney about your legal
options for enforcing the judgment that is already in place. This is particularly
important when you are not receiving parenting time or support related
to your child. Enforcement or contempt may also be an appropriate legal
remedy when one party has not followed through with important court orders,
such as completing medical or life insurance documents for the benefit
of the other party.

Name Change

Adult name changes can be very straightforward and may not require the
aid of an attorney unless there are unique complications. Many counties
in Oregon have very specific instructions and forms for requesting a name
change for an adult. However, you should consult a lawyer in order to
ensure that you understand the process before filing for a name change.
In a divorce, you may change your name back to a maiden or other given
name by ensuring that it is included in the divorce judgment.

Changing your child’s name can be very simple or very complicated
depending on your situation, so it is important to consult an attorney
for your minor child.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.